Katie Connell, Proposal Organizer
I am an operations leader, project manager, and arts educator with a longtime commitment to creating accessible, culturally rich spaces for community learning and creativity. My career has woven together museum operations, public programming, education, and hands-on arts leadership, giving me the broad experience needed to craft the Creativity Center of Alameda into a vibrant hub for all.
Previously, I served as Operations and Visitor Services Manager at The Mary Baker Eddy Library, where I helped steward the historic publishing house and oversaw exhibits, public spaces, staff, volunteer programs, and facilities in a complex cultural institution. I managed cross-departmental projects, led exhibit development, ensured accessibility and safety, and coordinated major events—experience that mirrors the operational needs of a restored, historic community center.
My work in Alameda and the Bay Area—including volunteer art education in local schools, event coordination at the Children’s Creativity Museum, and leading creative instruction through my own art business—has strengthened my commitment to equitable access to the arts. I’ve designed art experiences for all ages, coordinated volunteers, and built welcoming spaces where creativity feels joyful and achievable.
With this blend of operational expertise, community engagement, creative leadership, and deep respect for historic spaces, I’m dedicated to guiding the Creativity Center of Alameda from vision to thriving reality.
“After meeting with Katie Connell and learning more about her vision for the Carnegie Library, I was struck by how aligned her proposal is with the values and practices that make community arts spaces so vital. Her commitment to equitable access, local collaboration, and artist-centered programming is thoughtful and deeply informed by her nonprofit experience. Alameda is uniquely positioned to benefit from a space like this, one that honors creativity, accessibility, and community voice.
Katie has approached this project with clarity, heart, and a strong sense of responsibility to the community she hopes to serve. I have full confidence in her ability to create a thriving and inclusive arts center that uplifts local artists and strengthens Alameda’s cultural landscape.”
Haley Summerfield, Community Arts Program Manager at Hospitality House